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Asked: 2024-09-26T18:18:29+05:30 In:

How can I make Firefox installed as a Snap package my default web browser permanently on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to set up my default web browser on my Ubuntu system, and I keep running into issues with Firefox that I installed as a Snap package. I really love using Firefox, but for some reason, it doesn’t stay set as my default browser after I reboot or log out and back in. Every time I open a link, it defaults to another browser that I don’t even like—like, seriously, what’s up with that?

I’ve scoured forums and tried a bunch of methods, but nothing seems to work permanently. I’ve gone into the settings and set Firefox as the default there, and I even tried making it the default from within the Snap version, but as soon as I restart my computer, it’s like all my efforts just vanish. I’ve heard some people mention using terminal commands, but honestly, I’m not the best with commands, and I’m a bit intimidated by it all.

So, here’s my question: how can I make Firefox, installed as a Snap package, my default web browser permanently? I’ve seen mixed advice out there, and I really don’t want to mess things up more than I have. Do I need to do something specific in the terminal or maybe adjust some config files?

Also, are there any additional steps I should be aware of? I’d appreciate any tips or tricks from people who have successfully done this.

To give you a bit of context, I’m using the latest version of Ubuntu, and my Snap package of Firefox is fully updated. And I noticed that when I was installing other browsers, there were options to set them as the default, but I guess Snap behaves differently?

If anyone has a clear, easy-to-follow method or even a little walkthrough, I’d be super grateful. Honestly, I just want to click a link and have it open in my favorite browser without having to mess around every single time! Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

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    1. Set Firefox as Default Browser on Ubuntu

      How to Make Firefox (Snap) Your Default Browser on Ubuntu

      Okay, so you’re having some trouble getting Firefox to stay as your default browser after a reboot. It can be a bit of a hassle, especially with Snap packages. Here’s a simple way to do it!

      Steps to Set Firefox as Your Default Browser

      1. First, let’s make sure Firefox is really set as the default in the system. Open Settings.
      2. Navigate to Default Applications and check if Firefox is selected as the web browser. If it’s not, click on it and select Firefox from the list.

      Using the Terminal (Don’t Worry!)

      If the settings don’t hold, we can try using the terminal. It sounds scary, but I promise it’s simple!

      1. Open a terminal. You can find it in the applications menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T.
      2. Type this command and hit Enter:
        3. xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop
      3. This tells your system to use Firefox as the default. Easy peasy!

      Check Snap Permissions

      Make sure the Snap version of Firefox has the proper permissions:

      1. In the terminal, run:
        2. snap info firefox
      2. Check the sections to see if there’s anything that looks odd with permissions. It’s rare, but sometimes Snap can be a bit picky.

      Restart and Test

      Now, restart your computer and test by clicking on a link in an email or a document to see if it opens in Firefox.

      Additional Tips

      • If you installed other browsers, make sure they’re not overwriting your default settings during updates.
      • If you keep running into issues, consider doing a full system update using:
        • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
      • And don’t hesitate to reach out for help on forums if you’re still stuck!

      You got this! With these steps, you should be able to make Firefox your unstoppable default browser. Happy browsing!



    2. To set Firefox installed as a Snap package as your default browser permanently on your Ubuntu system, you might need to use a combination of GUI settings and terminal commands. First, ensure that you have Firefox set as your default browser through the system settings. Go to “Settings,” then “Default Applications,” and select Firefox as your web browser. However, since you mentioned that this change doesn’t stick after rebooting, you should also set it using the terminal for a more robust solution. Open your terminal and type the following command:
      xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop. This command explicitly tells your system to recognize Firefox as the default browser, irrespective of the GUI settings.

      In addition, you may want to check the Snap-specific configurations. Run the command,
      snap set firefox default-browser=true, which helps ensure that the Snap version behaves correctly during your sessions. After executing these commands, restart your machine and double-check the default application settings. Also, keep in mind that if you install any other browsers, they may overwrite your current default settings, so you might need to repeat the terminal command whenever you update or install a new browser. Following these steps should help you set Firefox as your default browser permanently, allowing you to click links freely without unwanted redirection.


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